Podere Campogrande

Simply life. On a woodland farm in the green heart of Italy.

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Podere Campogrande

Simply life. On a woodland farm in the green heart of Italy.

Nature - the best connection.

The alienation from nature, the mental, emotional and often physical separation from nature lets us forget that we are an integre part of it and cannot possibly live without it. Plants are at the very basis of our very existence, be it for food, clothing, medicine and, oh, I almost forgot, for the oxygen we definitely require. Yet, many are completely oblivious to these facts of life.

We have people wanting to save nature. And again there is the same psychological separation, you are putting yourself on a plane outside of it, not feeling with every cell of your body and with all the love of your heart that you are nature.

Life is simple. We just need to shave away the unnecessary we ourselves created and simply live.

Campogrande is a place of inspiration, offering to get in touch with nature. To get dirty on the land and clean again with the natural body care products concocted here on the farm: Agricosmetics, as the ingredients are all grown and harvested here on the land.

Campogrande offers a detox of the body and soul as well as a digital one. Switch off and immerse yourself into the love of nature, your only true home.

Get dirty

Walk barefoot in the fields and woods, cultivate and harvest your food, get in contact with all the creatures and plants. Touch. And discover your own, natural intelligence.

Eat clean

Food is our first medicine. 100% plant-based, unprocessed, not refined and at least 51% of it raw will reset your body's ability to heal itself. Micronutrients keep you going and healthy.

be BEAUTIFUL

Cosmetic products need to be edible. Your skin absorbs anything you put it in contact with, just the same as if you were to eat it. Some of our face creams are actually quite delicious.

Simplicity -the biggest luxury.

Olives, donkeys, permaculture, agricosmetics

Simplicity -the biggest luxury.

Olives, donkeys, permaculture, agricosmetics

Living off and with the land is a great luxury, quite certainly the biggest I have ever experienced. Being able to share the fruits of the labour is a great source of happiness.

A strong connection to the land, the animals and plants gives birth to great respect for everything living. It grows on you and becomes ever stronger. When you get rid of all the superfluous things and actions in your life, everything suddenly makes sense; to have a hot bath in winter you first need to get the water, chop wood (which you cut the winter before) light a fire and heat the water. The joy you get from a hot bath like this is infinite.

The same applies to bread, our most basic food: grow the grain, thrash it, mill the flour, ferment the dough - like this you not only nourish your body, but also your soul. A big thank you is needed when harvesting medicinal plants for the products, mindfulness is required in every action. When you walk barefoot in the cold rain and your feet feel the warmth of the earth, you tune into the heartbeat of nature and your gait will never be the same, because you felt the aliveness of the earth.

This is the biggest luxury of all, life at its roots.

Sustainability - a concept becomes everyday life.

Sustainability - a concept becomes everyday life.

Sustainability has no beginning and no end; everybody can do his or her share. And enjoy it tremendously, too. But one needs to feel the need for it. As long as it is an intellectual concept, "because one should" it will have as much effect as going on a diet and constantly thinking of all the things you are deprived off. Feel it, enjoy it, practice it.Becoming a conscious consumer, is a good point to begin, starting with food: anything that has ingredients in it, is not to be considered food. Buying local, fresh produce or growing it yourself is the answer. Veg that is sold in supermarkets is already old, five days at least, most likely even. However, for fresh veg farmers' markets can be found in any city .

Buying things that can be repaired is another important aspect. And thinking whether one really needs this new item at all. Trying to produce as little waste as possible, being aware of how much waste one produces. Awareness is the key, love for the planet is the energy to make change happen. It is a question of reeducating yourself, consumerism is an acquired taste.

Here at Campogrande I practice this awareness and it is steadily growing. I changed the toilets to compost toilets as not to use precious drinking water to flush; human waste is a precious fertilizer, too. It is all about creating natural cycles, not letting anything go to waste.

The tractor is from 1962 and runs on seed oil. I have not bought a single item of clothing in 9 years; everything I wear is second hand or made of recycled clothing. Yes, I learned to sew as well. People need to learn to make things again, the craftsman is a dying species. Sustainability and self-sufficiency means also to be able to make and repair anything you need. And everyday I learn something new. But sustainability is also about community, we need each other, inspire each other and learn from another. Permaculture is a valuable and delightful concept and here on the farm applied wherever possible. This is an exciting journey.

Agricosmetics

All natural cosmetic products and remedies with ingredients from the farm. Most plants are collected in the wild, some are from our own cultivation. All creams and soaps are made with our own, organic olive oil.

Agricosmetics

All natural cosmetic products and remedies with ingredients from the farm. Most plants are collected in the wild, some are from our own cultivation. All creams and soaps are made with our own, organic olive oil.

SOAPS

cold processed soaps

the structure and lather of cold processed soaps is far superior to hot processed ones, guarantying that essential oils and nutrients are preserved. Cold processed soaps need to ripen for three months before they are ready to use. This is just a small overview of soaps available, I am constantly creating new ones. Availability changes with the seasons. For legal reasons I am only allowed to sell directly to the customer, no online shop, please contact me via e-mail.

Sea salt & Olive

no essential oils added, regulates the correct functioning of the skin.

Tomato & Rosemary

helps to keep skin young and glowing thanks to the age-defying ingredient lycopene.

Shaving Soap

Silk protein, clay and a secret mixture of herbs for a close shave and no skin irritations. hydrating, no aftershave needed.

all products are based on olive oil, rich in vitamin E and antioxidants, one of the very few oils that keeps the skin perfectly hydrated. The emulsifier used is also derived from the very same oil, ensuring the product is absorbed perfectly by the skin without leaving an oily layer. This is just a small overview of creams available, I am constantly creating new ones. Availability changes with the seasons. For legal reasons I am only allowed to sell directly to the customer, no online shop, please contact me via e-mail.

Helichrysum Italicum

reduces wrinkles, helps with psoriasis and neurodermatitis. Excellent day and night cream

lavender & apple cider vinegar

night cream balancing the PH level of the skin

Saint John's wort & Geranium

a sunny, jovial cream, helps hormonal balance

after shave balm

soothes cuts, disinfecting and highly hydrating

lichen & pine

helps against oily skin. very refreshing, lichen is all about breathing, has strong antiviral and antibacterial properties

Nettle & Rose

helps oily skin to regulate itself, very soothing for skin affected by acne

counterirritant for external application to sprains, bruises, and wounds

Passiflora

a natural relaxant, sedative, nerving, anti-spasmodic and analgesic effects. There are beneficial effects on the nerves (toning the sympathetic nerve center, and improving circulation and nutrition to the nerves).

We offer

You are part of nature, immerse yourself in it. Detox your body and benefit from a digital detox. Get in contact with plants and discover their wonderful qualities.

We offer

You are part of nature, immerse yourself in it. Detox your body and benefit from a digital detox. Get in contact with plants and discover their wonderful qualities.

Nutrition - our first medicine

A plant based diet with at least 51% of raw food will reset the body ad maintain its health. Here at Campogrande I welcome people to explore and learn about the health benefits of nutrition, often in collaboration with outside lecturers.

Get wild - forage for food

Learning about wild plants is a major focus on Campogrande and a fun way to know more about them is to forage for food in the extensive fields and forests here and to prepare meals with them .

detox your body and mind

A detox therapy with the help of plants and fire cupping, immersed in nature is not only beneficial for the body, it helps the mind, too. Simple living quarters of different standards and a guided supervision will make your detox an enjoyable and unique experience. Please note that there is limited capacity and well in advanced booking is necessary.

Yoga retreat

Once a year we organize a four day Yoga retreat here out in the sticks. Accommodation is simple, a glamping sort, in Yurts and tents. Catering is exclusively vegan.

Visit us

Visit us

shake hands, paws & hooves

shake hands, paws & hooves

We are always glad to get to know new people, to exchange ideas and to share the life and the beauty of the surroundings here. Specific courses and retreats will be communicated and can be booked, however, helping hands are always welcome, too.Please get in contact: sebastian(at)campo-grande.it

support us

Campogrande is not a commercial enterprise and without the help of others would not exist.

If you feel you would like to support us with ideas, things that could be useful for us or financially,please get in contact.

support us

Campogrande is not a commercial enterprise and without the help of others would not exist.

If you feel you would like to support us with ideas, things that could be useful for us or financially,please get in contact.

financial support

If you have more than you need and would like to support an ecological project, we would be thrilled to hear from you. There are so many projects waiting to be realized, but due to the lack of financial funds they are put on hold.

We need a new well, fences, a wind turbine and a big dream is a bio-gas composter.

The biggest dream of all would be to establish a foundation which would safeguard Campogrande as a place of learning and inspiration also for the future.

However, there are the small, daily needs as well; vet for the animals and feed for Winter. Often, the income generated by the sale of the products does not cover these needs.

Hands on

There is always work to be done and helping hands are more than welcome. It is amazing how much work one gets done in a group of people. If you feel you might like to invest your muscle power here on the land, please get in contact.

little and big things

tools

Be it power tools, shaving horses, hammers and screw drivers, bandsaws etc. If you happen to have too many or no more use for them yourself, we would be happy to give them a new home here.

building material

Any sort of building material that is sustainable is welcome. New guest accommodations are planned (mud building, tree houses and simple cabins).

fencing

20 hectares need to be fenced in to allow more grazing ground for the donkeys. fence posts etc are needed.

animal welfare

We are looking for farrier tools the keep the hooves of the donkeys nice and healthy.

rare organic seeds and plants

We are always looking out to find organic seeds and plants of old, almost extinct types.